Reading device and mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A reading device includes: an imaging unit that acquires an image by imaging an object; and a reading unit that emits a scanning light having a prescribed scanning angle range in a prescribed one-dimensional direction and that detects the scanning light reflected by the object so as to acquire a target information displayed on the object. The imaging unit and the reading unit are disposed such that a center line of the prescribed scanning angle range of the scanning light and an optical axis of the imaging unit intersect with each other at a point that is away from the reading device by at a prescribed distance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reading device and a mobile terminal.

Description of Related Art

A reading device that includes a one-dimensional scanner and atwo-dimensional scanner so as to read different bar codes via theone-dimensional scanner and the two-dimensional scanner is well-known,for example (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2005-63142, for example).

Even though such a reading device of a mobile terminal device can readdifferent bar codes via the one-dimensional scanner and thetwo-dimensional scanner, such a device cannot synchronize the reading ofthe bar code with imaging of an object on which the bar code isdisplayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a scheme thatsubstantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitationsand disadvantages of the related art.

Additional or separate features and advantages of the invention will beset forth in the descriptions that follow and in part will be apparentfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realizedand attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, in oneaspect, the present disclosure provides a reading device, including: animaging unit that acquires an image by imaging an object; and a readingunit that emits a light beam towards the object in a scanning manner toemit a scanning light having a prescribed scanning angle range in aprescribed one-dimensional direction, and that detects the scanninglight reflected by the object so as to acquire a target informationdisplayed on the object, wherein, the imaging unit and the reading unitare disposed such that a center line of the prescribed scanning anglerange of the scanning light and an optical axis of the imaging unitintersect with each other at a point that is away from the readingdevice by a prescribed distance.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a mobile terminal,including: a camera that acquires an image by imaging an object; and ascanner that emits a light beam towards the object in a scanning mannerto emit a scanning light having a prescribed scanning angle range in aprescribed one-dimensional direction, and that detects the scanninglight reflected by the object so as to acquire a target informationdisplayed on the object, wherein, the camera and the scanner aredisposed such that a center line of the prescribed scanning angle rangeof the scanning light and an optical axis of the camera intersect witheach other at point that is away from the mobile terminal by aprescribed distance.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a reading device,including: a camera that acquires an image by imaging an object; and ascanner that emits a light beam towards the object in a scanning mannerto emit a scanning light having a prescribed scanning angle range in aone-dimensional prescribed direction, and that detects the scanninglight reflected by the object so as to acquire a target informationdisplayed on a surface of the object, an emission direction of thescanning light being changeable; and a processor that performs:determining whether or not the surface of the object and an optical axisof the camera are perpendicular to each other; when the surface of theobject and the optical axis of the camera are determined to beperpendicular to each other, acquiring distance information indicating adistance from the camera to the object; and causing the scanner tochange the emission direction of the scanning light in accordance withthe acquired distance information such that a center line of theprescribed scanning angle range of the scanning light and the opticalaxis of the camera intersect with each other on the surface of theobject.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, andare intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A deeper understanding of the present application can be obtained byreferring to the drawings described below alongside the detaileddescriptions given later.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a reading device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that shows a physical configuration of thereading device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows a functional configuration of thereading device.

FIG. 4 shows a disposition of an imaging unit and a reading unit.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration in which the imaging unit and the readingunit are oriented in the same direction.

FIG. 6 shows a (first) relationship between a distance to an object andthe reading unit.

FIG. 7 shows a (second) relationship between the distance to the objectand the reading unit.

FIG. 8 shows a positional relationship between an angle of viewaccording to the imaging unit and a scanning light via the reading unit.

FIG. 9 shows a (first) instance in which reading of the object has beencarried out.

FIG. 10 shows a (second) instance in which reading of the object hasbeen carried out.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating reading and imaging processing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail belowwith reference to the attached drawings. The present invention is notlimited to the examples shown in the drawings.

First, a schematic configuration of a reading device 1 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of thereading device 1.

The reading device 1 (mobile terminal) is a handy terminal such as thatshown in FIG. 1, for example, which is used in order to gather data forwork, and can read bar codes (target information to be read) displayedon forms and perform imaging of the forms. The object is not limited toforms, and may be anything that includes a barcode, such as productssold in a store, or the like, for example. In addition, the readingdevice 1 is not limited to a handy terminal, and may be otherinformation terminal devices such as a smartphone, a tablet PC (personalcomputer), a notebook PC, a PDA (personal digital assistant), or thelike.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reading device 1 has: operation keys 12A; adisplay unit 14; an imaging unit 17; and a reading unit 18.

The operation keys 12A are a keypad that receives operational input, andare used in order for a user to perform necessary operational input.Examples of operational input include: input of numbers and letters;trigger input for performing reading via the reading unit 18 and imagingvia the imaging unit 17; or the like.

The display unit 14 is configured using an LCD (liquid crystal display),ELD (electroluminescent display), or the like, and has the role ofdisplaying necessary information to the user. In addition, the displayunit 14 may be configured using a pressure-sensitive touch panel, anelectrostatic touch panel, or the like, and may be configured so as tobe able to fulfill the role of operational input. Furthermore, thedisplay unit 14 includes a speaker that is able to output sound, and thelike.

The imaging unit 17 (camera) is configured using a digital camera thatcan capture still images. The imaging unit 17 has: a lens; an imagingelement; various types of sensors; an analog processing unit; and adigital processing unit, and is able to image an object as a result ofan object image from the imaging lens being formed on the imagingelement.

The reading unit 18 (scanner) is a laser scanner that readsone-dimensional bar codes and includes: a light source; alight-receiving unit; a gain circuit; and a binarization circuit.Specifically, the barcode is irradiated by a scanning light generated byswing a light source at a prescribed scanning width (scanning anglerange) in a one-dimensional prescribed direction, and reflected lightthereof is received by the light-receiving unit and converted into anelectric signal. Then, the converted electric signal is amplified by thegain circuit, and is converted into binary data by the binarizationcircuit to be output. The reading device 1 also includes a drive unit18A that is able to control the inclination of the reading unit 18 so asto be able to change the emission direction of the scanning light. Thepresent embodiment was configured so as to incline the reading unit 18,but the present invention is not limited to this. Since it is sufficientfor the device to be able to change the emission direction of thescanning light, a mirror that reflects the scanning light in aprescribed direction may be prepared, and the drive unit 18A may beconfigured to control the inclination of the mirror. In such aconfiguration, the reading unit 18 is able to change the emissiondirection of the scanning light without moving the reading unit 18itself.

The imaging unit 17 and the reading unit 18 are disposed near each otheron the same surface of the reading device 1, as shown in FIG. 1, forexample. As a result, it is possible, when reading a bar code using thereading unit 18 of the reading device 1, to capture an object on which abar code is displayed at an angle of view that represents a range atwhich imaging is possible via the imaging unit 17. Then, when the barcode is read by the reading unit 18, since imaging is carried out by theimaging unit 17, the device is configured to be able to simultaneouslyacquire the code information of the bar code and the image of theobject.

In addition, as will be explained in more detail later, the reading unit18 and the imaging unit 17 are disposed such that the center in thescanning width direction of the scanning light emitted from the readingunit 18 intersects the optical axis of the imaging unit 17 at aprescribed location. The optical axis of the imaging unit 17 representsan axis that passes through the center of the angle of view in theimaging direction.

Next, a physical configuration of the reading device 1 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the physical configuration of thereading device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reading device 1 includes: a CPU (centralprocessing unit) 11; an operating unit 12; RAM (random access memory)13; the display unit 14; a storage unit 15; a communication unit 16; theimaging unit 17; the reading unit 18; and a bus 19. The respective unitsof the reading device 1 are connected via the bus 19. Since the displayunit 14, imaging unit 17, and reading unit 18 are as described above, adescription thereof will be omitted here.

The CPU 11 controls the respective units of the reading device 1. TheCPU 11 reads designated programs from among the system programs andapplication programs stored in storage unit 15, loads the programs intothe RAM 13, and executes various types of processing in coordinationwith the programs loaded into the RAM 13.

The operating unit 12 is, in other words, the operation keys 12A. Theoperating unit 12 includes a touch panel provided on the screen of thedisplay unit 14.

The RAM 13 is volatile memory that temporarily stores information, andhas a work area for storing various types of data and programs.

The storage unit 15 (memory) is configured to have ROM (read-onlymemory), flash memory, or the like, for example, and stores, in additionto the operating system, programs, applications, code informationacquired via the imaging unit 17 and the reading unit 18, and the like.The storage unit 15 may be configured to include portable, removablememory such as an SD card, an IC (integrated circuit) card, or the like,and may include a prescribed external server storage area (not shown)when the device is connected to a network via a communication function,for example.

The communication unit 16 includes: a wireless communication antenna; amodulation unit for transmission signals; a demodulation unit forreceived signals; and the like, and is able to carry out wirelesscommunication with an access point provided on a communication network,for example.

Next, a functional configuration of the reading device 1 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram that showsthe functional configuration of the reading device 1.

The reading device 1 has the following functions: a perpendiculardetermination function 31; a distance information acquisition function32; a reading control function 33; an imaging control function 34; andan information management function 35.

When a user attempts to read a bar code and image an object on which thebar code is displayed by using the reading device 1, the perpendiculardetermination function 31 determines whether the optical axis of theimaging unit 17 is perpendicular with respect to the object. This isperformed in order to avoid having the object be skewed when imaging viathe imaging unit 17. This determination is made by the imaging unit 17that detects an angle formed between the optical axis and the object,and by the CPU 11 that makes a determination based on the detectionresults. The present invention is not limited to using the imaging unit17, however, and a level or the like that is able to detect inclinationmay be provided instead.

When the perpendicular determination function 31 has determined that theoptical axis of the imaging unit 17 is perpendicular to the object, thedistance from the imaging unit 17 to the object is measured by thedistance information acquisition function 32 to acquire distanceinformation. Here, the acquisition of the distance information iscarried out by using the imaging unit 17; the present invention is notlimited to this, however. Another type of distance measuring sensor thatuses LEDs or lasers may be provided, for example.

In addition, it is possible to omit the distance information acquisitionfunction 32. In other words, the user may input the distance informationto the object via the operating unit 12 beforehand. In such a case, theuser must perform reading and imaging while maintaining a prescribeddistance from the object. However, it is no longer necessary to acquirethe distance information every time, and it is also no longer necessaryto set the angle of the reading unit 18, which will be described later,every time.

The reading control function 33 sets an emission direction of thescanning light in accordance with the distance information acquired bythe distance information acquisition function 32, and emits the setscanning light. In the present embodiment, the emission direction of thescanning light is set by setting the angle at which the reading unit 18is inclined. This will be described in more detail using FIG. 5. Bysetting this angle, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon in whichreading of the bar code becomes impossible due to the scanning lightbeing emitted from the front surface, and it is possible to make it morelikely for the object to be within the angle of view when imaging viathe imaging unit 17, which is carried out afterwards. Then, when it hasbeen confirmed that emission of the scanning light has started, the usermoves the reading device 1 so as to irradiate the bar code with thescanning light. Once the code information of the bar code is acquiredvia the reading unit 18, the reading device 1 outputs the acquired codeinformation to the CPU 11. When the user moves the reading device 1, itis necessary to move the reading device 1 in a direction parallel to theobject. This is because it is necessary to maintain the perpendicularstate determined by the perpendicular determination function 31 and thedistance measured by the distance information acquisition function 32.

The imaging control function 34, performs control such that the imagingunit 17 carries out imaging successively after the reading controlfunction 33 has read the code information. Thus, the reading device 1 isconfigured such that reading by the user using the reading unit 18triggers the imaging unit 17 to carry out imaging.

The information management function 35 matches up the code informationacquired via the reading unit 18 and the image acquired via the imagingby the imaging unit 17, and stores this information and the image in thestorage unit 15. In addition, it is possible to call up the informationstored in the storage unit 15 and display this information on thedisplay unit 14.

Next, the placement of the imaging unit 17 and the reading unit 18 willbe described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the placement of theimaging unit 17 and the reading unit 18.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the emission direction ofthe scanning light is set via the reading unit 18 being disposed so asto incline in relation to the imaging unit 17. In addition, the imagingunit 17 and the reading unit 18 are disposed such that the optical axisof the imaging unit 17 and the center in the scanning width direction ofa scanning light 42 emitted by the reading unit 18 intersect at adistance L from the imaging unit 17. It is possible to change an angle θat which the reading unit 18 is inclined by the drive unit 18A, and thedistance L at which the optical axis and the center in the scanningwidth direction of the scanning light 42 intersect can be changed bychanging the angle θ.

As mentioned earlier, the reading device 1 is configured so as tocollectively acquire the code information of the bar code and the imageof the object by performing imaging via the imaging unit 17 when the barcode is read by the reading unit 18. In order to realize such aconfiguration, it can be considered to make the emission direction ofthe scanning light from the reading unit 18 and the optical axis of theimaging unit 17 be parallel as shown in FIG. 5, but there are problemswith such a configuration.

First, if the bar code is read using the configuration shown in FIG. 5,the reading by the reading unit 18 from the front surface of the objectwould be performed in a state that the optical axis of the imaging unit17 is perpendicular to the object. However, when reading the bar codeusing the reflected light, it becomes no longer possible to read the barcode when light is emitted from the front surface. This is because, whenthe angle of incidence of the light is a right angle, the light that isreflected back is extremely bright, which makes it no longer possible tocorrectly read the code information. This area where reading isimpossible is called a “dead zone.”

Furthermore, in the configuration in FIG. 5, the center in the scanningwidth direction of the scanning light 42 from the reading unit 18 andthe optical axis of the imaging unit 17, i.e., the center of an angle ofview 41, are separated from each other. In such a configuration, thereis a problem in that, depending on the location of the bar codedisplayed on the object, the object will not fall within the angle ofview 41 of the imaging unit 17, or even if the object falls within theangle of view 41, the object is skewed toward one part of the angle ofview 41, which can lead to unnatural white spaces.

Based on the above, as shown in FIG. 4, the imaging unit 17 and thereading unit 18 are disposed such that the optical axis of the imagingunit 17 and the center in the scanning width direction of the scanninglight 42 from the reading unit 18 intersect.

In addition, the three values shown in FIG. 4 of the distance L at whichthe center in the scanning width direction of the scanning light 42 andthe optical axis intersect, a distance X between the imaging unit 17 andthe reading unit 18, and the angle θ at which the reading unit 18inclines with respect to the imaging unit 17 are dependent on eachother. Thus, the reading device 1 is configured such that it is possibleto change the angle θ in accordance with the distance L and the distanceX. Although the present embodiment is configured such that the angle θis changed by controlling the drive unit 18A via the CPU 11, it is notabsolutely necessary to include the drive unit 18A, and the angle θ maybe changed by the user manually. In a case in which the distance L tothe object is assumed ahead of time to be a prescribed value, the angleθ may be matched up with the distance L without being changed.

Next, the relationship between the distance L to the object and thereading unit 18 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS.6 and 7 show the relationship between the distance L to the object andthe reading unit 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, since an object 51 is disposed at a distance L1 fromthe imaging unit 17, the reading unit 18 is inclined with respect to theimaging unit 17 at an angle θ1. As a result, the emission direction ofthe scanning light 42 is set such that the optical axis and the centerin the scanning width direction of the scanning light 42 intersect atthe distance L1.

As a result of this setting, the optical axis of the imaging unit 17 andthe center in the scanning width direction of the scanning light 42intersect at the distance L1, or in other words, on the object 51.Therefore, using FIGS. 8 to 10 to explain in more detail, when the barcode is irradiated with the scanning light 42 at the time of reading thebar code displayed on the object 51, it is possible to image by theimaging unit 17 the bar code being captured at the center of the angleof view 41. In addition, the scanning light 42 irradiates the bar codefrom an oblique direction.

Similarly, in FIG. 7, since the object 51 is disposed at a distance L2that is farther than the distance L1, the reading unit 18 is inclined atan angle θ2 with respect to the imaging unit 17. As a result, theemission direction of the scanning light 42 is set such that the opticalaxis and the center in the scanning width direction of the scanninglight 42 intersect at the distance L2. As a result of this setting, theoptical axis of the imaging unit 17 and the center in the scanning widthdirection of the scanning light 42 intersect on the object 51. Inaddition, the scanning light 42 irradiates the bar code from an obliquedirection.

Next, a positional relationship between the angle of view of the imagingunit 17 and the scanning light of the reading unit 18 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the positional relationshipbetween the angle of view of the imaging unit 17 and the scanning lightof the reading unit 18.

As shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the center in the scanning widthdirection of the scanning light 42 and the center in the scanning widthdirection of the angle of view 41 intersect at a point 81 at thedistance L from the imaging unit 17. This is because, as explained forFIGS. 6 and 7, the emission direction of the scanning light 42 is set bysetting the angle θ of the reading unit 18 that corresponds to thedistance L to the object. It is preferable that even if the distance Lto the object changes, the angle θ be set accordingly such that thecenter in the scanning width direction of the scanning light 42 and theoptical axis that is the center of the angle of view 41 intersect witheach other on the object, i.e., at the updated distance L.

Next, instances in which the object has been actually read will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 shows an instance inwhich reading of the object has been actually carried out.

In FIG. 9, as an example of an object 51A, a form A, on which a bar code52A is displayed in the lower right, is read and imaged. As shown inFIG. 9, when the scanning light 42 is aligned with the bar code 52A, itcan be seen that the bar code is located at the exact vertical center ofthe vertical angle of view 41, and thus the object 51A falls within theangle of view 41. When reading is carried out by the reading device 1,since the object is imaged such that the bar code is located at thevertical center of the angle of view 41, white spaces appear, dependingon the position at which the bar code of the object is displayed. Forexample, in FIG. 9, since the bar code 52A is displayed in the lowerright of the object 51A, a white space has appeared at the bottom of theangle of view 41, for example. It is preferable that this white space bealtered by carrying out trimming or the like.

In a similar manner in FIG. 10, as an example of an object 51B, a formB, on which a bar code 52B is displayed in the upper left, is read andimaged. As shown in FIG. 10, when the scanning light 42 is aligned withthe bar code 52B, it can be seen that the bar code is located at theexact vertical center of the vertical angle of view 41, and thus theobject 51B falls within the angle of view 41. In FIG. 10, since the barcode 52B is displayed in the upper left of the object 51B, a white spacehas appeared at the top of the angle of view 41. It is preferable thatthis white space be altered by carrying out trimming or the like as inFIG. 9.

According to FIGS. 9 and 10, since it is possible to carry out imagingsuch that the bar code moves to the vertical center of the angle of viewregardless of where the bar code is displayed on the object 51, itbecomes easier to capture the object within the angle of view of theimaging unit 17. In addition, since the reading unit 18 is disposed atan incline, it is possible to scan the bar code without worrying aboutdead zones since the scanning light 42 does not enter the bar code fromstraight on.

Next, reading and imaging processing by the reading device 1 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flow chartillustrating reading and imaging processing. Reading and imagingprocessing is processing that occurs when bar codes are read by thereading device 1 and the object on which the bar code is displayed isimaged. This processing is carried out when operational input is inputby a user via the operating unit 12. In other words, when trigger keysare being pressed, for example, as the operational input, processing iscarried out, and when the pressing of the trigger keys ends, processingis finished.

First, the CPU 11 determines whether the optical axis of the imagingunit 17 is perpendicular with respect to the object (Step S11). In otherwords, the CPU 11 functions as the perpendicular determination function31. Since the determination method was described for FIG. 3, adescription thereof is omitted here.

It is preferable that the device be configured such that when it isdetermined that the optical axis of the imaging unit 17 is perpendicularto the object in Step S11, the user is notified by the display unit 14outputting a notification sound. The notification method is not limitedto this, and an LED lamp may be provided so as to light the LED lampwhile it is determined that the optical axis is perpendicular to theobject, for example.

When the CPU 11 has determined that the optical axis of the imaging unit17 is perpendicular to the object (Step S11; YES), the CPU 11 acquiresthe distance information from the imaging unit 17 to the object (StepS12). In other words, the CPU 11 functions as the distance informationacquisition function 32. Since the acquisition method was described forFIG. 3, a description thereof is omitted here.

The CPU 11 then sets the emission direction of the scanning light bysetting the angle θ at which the reading unit 18 inclines based on theacquired distance information (Step S13). In other words, it is possibleto set the angle θ such that the center of the scanning light emittedfrom the reading unit 18 and the optical axis of the imaging unit 17intersect on the object by using the acquired distance information. Oncesetting is completed, the emission of the scanning light by the readingunit 18 commences (Step S14). In other words, the CPU 11 functions asthe reading control function 33.

Then, when emission of the scanning light has been confirmed, the usermoves the reading device 1 and matches up the emitted scanning lightwith the bar code displayed on the object. At such time, as describedfor FIG. 3, it is necessary to move the reading device 1 parallel to theobject.

Then, once the reading of the bar code is carried out by aligning thescanning light with the bar code (Step S15; YES), imaging issubsequently carried out by the imaging unit 17 (Step S16). In otherwords, the CPU 11 functions as the imaging control function 34. As aresult, it is possible to perform imaging such as that in FIGS. 9 and 10in which the bar code is captured at the vertical center of the angle ofview. The device may be configured such that, when imaging is actuallycarried out, the emission of the scanning light stops. As a result, itis possible to avoid the scanning light from being captured in theacquired image. Then, the code information of the bar code acquired bythe reading unit 18 and the image acquired by the imaging unit 17 arerecorded in the storage unit 15 as associated with each other (StepS17). In other words, the CPU 11 functions as the information managementfunction 35.

According to the present embodiment above, the reading device 1includes: the imaging unit 17 that acquires an image by imaging anobject; and the reading unit 18 that emits a scanning light formed of alight beam that has a scanning width in a prescribed one-dimensionaldirection by using a light source that generates the light beam, andreads code information included in the object. The imaging unit 17 andthe reading unit 18 are disposed such that the center in the scanningwidth direction of the scanning light and the optical axis of theimaging unit 17 intersect at a prescribed location.

As a result, it is possible to collectively carry out reading the codeinformation included in the object and imaging the object.

In addition, the placement of the imaging unit 17 and the reading unit18 of the reading device 1 is determined in accordance with the distancebetween the reading unit 18 and the imaging unit 17 and the distancebetween the imaging unit 17 and the object. As a result, it is possibleto determine the placement of the imaging unit and the reading unit.

In addition, the reading device 1 includes: the imaging unit 17 thatacquires an image by imaging an object; the reading unit 18 that emits ascanning light formed of a light beam that has a scanning width in aprescribed one-dimensional direction by using a light source thatgenerates the light beam, and reads code information included in theobject; a determination unit that determines whether the optical axis ofthe imaging unit 17 and the object are perpendicular; and an acquisitionunit that, when it is determined that the optical axis of the imagingunit 17 and the object are perpendicular, acquires distance informationindicating the distance from the imaging unit 17 to the object. Thereading unit 18 changes the emission direction of the scanning light inaccordance with the distance information acquired by the acquisitionunit so that the center in the scanning width direction of the scanninglight and the optical axis of the imaging unit 17 intersect on theobject. Thus, it is possible to more easily ensure that the object iscaptured in the angle of view.

The reading device 1 further includes the notification unit thatperforms notification when it is determined by the determination unitthat the optical axis of the imaging unit 17 and the object areperpendicular. Thus, the user can be notified of the status.

The reading device 1 acquires the distance information indicating thedistance from the imaging unit 17 to the object via operational input bythe user. Thus, it is possible to easily acquire the necessary distanceinformation.

Alternatively, the reading device 1 acquires the distance informationindicating the distance from the imaging unit 17 to the object by adistance measuring sensor. Thus, it is possible to easily acquire thenecessary distance information.

The description in the embodiment above is one example of a readingdevice of the present invention, and the present invention is notlimited to this.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the imaging unit 17 and the readingunit 18 were disposed and arranged in the vertical direction; however,the present invention is not limited to this, and the imaging unit 17and reading unit 18 may be disposed and arranged in another direction.In such a case, similar to the embodiment above, it is preferable thatthe reading unit 18 and the imaging unit 17 be disposed such that thecenter in the scanning width direction of the scanning light of thereading unit 18 overlaps the optical axis that is the center of theangle of view of the imaging unit 17.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the placement of theimaging unit 17 and the reading unit 18 was described. However, it isnot absolutely necessary that the imaging unit 17 and the reading unit18 be disposed as described above, and it is sufficient that therelationship between the angle of view of the imaging unit 17 and thescanning light emitted by the reading unit 18 are realized as describedin the above-mentioned embodiment. Thus, it is possible to realize thereading device 1 without specifically limiting the placement of theimaging unit 17 and the reading unit 18 themselves by adjusting theangle of view of the imaging unit 17 and the emission direction of thescanning light of the reading unit 18 by using a mirror, for example.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the imaging unit 17 andthe reading unit 18 were disposed such that the bar code is located atthe center of the angle of view at the time of imaging; however, thepresent invention is not limited to this. The present invention may beconfigured such that the object fills the angle of view when imaging isperformed at the time of reading the bar code by determining theplacement of the imaging unit 17 and the reading unit 18 by additionallytaking into account the size of the object and the location at which thebar code is displayed, for example.

Although the reading unit 18 was described as a laser scanner in theabove-mentioned embodiment, the reading unit 18 may be another type ofone-dimensional bar code scanner.

Embodiments of the present invention were described above, but the scopeof the present invention is not limited to these and includes the scopeof the invention as described in the claims and the equivalents thereto.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover modifications and variationsthat come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.In particular, it is explicitly contemplated that any part or whole ofany two or more of the embodiments and their modifications describedabove can be combined and regarded within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reading device, comprising: a camera thatacquires an image by imaging an object; a scanner that emits a lightbeam towards the object in a scanning manner to emit a scanning lighthaving a prescribed scanning angle range in a one-dimensional prescribeddirection, and that detects the scanning light reflected by the objectso as to acquire a target information displayed on a surface of theobject, an emission direction of the scanning light being changeable;and a processor that performs: determining whether or not the surface ofthe object and an optical axis of the camera are perpendicular to eachother; when the surface of the object and the optical axis of the cameraare determined to be perpendicular to each other, acquiring distanceinformation indicating a distance from the camera to the object; andcausing the scanner to change the emission direction of the scanninglight in accordance with the acquired distance information such that acenter line of the prescribed scanning angle range of the scanning lightand the optical axis of the camera intersect with each other on thesurface of the object.
 2. The reading device according to claim 1,wherein the processor further performs: causing the scanner to emit thescanning light to the object in the changed emission direction so as toacquire the target information displayed on the surface of the object;and thereafter, causing the camera to image the object.
 3. The readingdevice according to claim 2, further comprising a memory, wherein theprocessor causes the memory to store the target information acquired bythe scanner and the image acquired by the camera as associated with eachother.
 4. The reading device according to claim 2, wherein the processorcauses a user to be notified when the processor determines that thesurface of the object and the optical axis of the camera areperpendicular to each other.
 5. The reading device according to claim 2,wherein said distance information is inputted to the processor via anoperational input of a user.
 6. The reading device according to claim 2,further comprising a distance measuring sensor that detects the distanceto the object to generate the distance information.
 7. The readingdevice according to claim 2, wherein the processor acquires the distanceinformation indicating the distance from the camera to the object bycausing the camera to image the object and analyzing the image of theobject.
 8. A reading device, comprising: a camera that acquires an imageby imaging an object; and a scanner that emits a light beam towards theobject in a scanning manner to emit a scanning light having a prescribedscanning angle range in a one-dimensional prescribed direction, and thatdetects the scanning light reflected by the object so as to acquire atarget information displayed on a surface of the object, an emissiondirection of the scanning light being changeable; and a processor thatperforms: acquiring distance information indicating a distance from thecamera to the object; and causing the scanner to change the emissiondirection of the scanning light in accordance with the acquired distanceinformation such that a center line of the prescribed scanning anglerange of the scanning light and an optical axis of the camera intersectwith each other on the surface of the object.
 9. A method executed by aprocessor in a reading device that includes, in addition to theprocessor: a camera that acquires an image by imaging an object; and ascanner that emits a light beam towards the object in a scanning mannerto emit a scanning light having a prescribed scanning angle range in aone-dimensional prescribed direction, and that detects the scanninglight reflected by the object so as to acquire a target informationdisplayed on a surface of the object, an emission direction of thescanning light being changeable, the method comprising, via theprocessor, determining whether or not the surface of the object and anoptical axis of the camera are perpendicular to each other; when thesurface of the object and the optical axis of the camera are determinedto be perpendicular to each other, acquiring distance informationindicating a distance from the camera to the object; and causing thescanner to change the emission direction of the scanning light inaccordance with the acquired distance information such that a centerline of the prescribed scanning angle range of the scanning light andthe optical axis of the camera intersect with each other on the surfaceof the object.
 10. A non-transitory storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions stored therein, the instructions beingreadable by a processor in in a reading device that includes, inaddition to the processor: a camera that acquires an image by imaging anobject; and a scanner that emits a light beam towards the object in ascanning manner to emit a scanning light having a prescribed scanningangle range in a one-dimensional prescribed direction, and that detectsthe scanning light reflected by the object so as to acquire a targetinformation displayed on a surface of the object, an emission directionof the scanning light being changeable, the instructions causing theprocessor to execute the following: determining whether or not thesurface of the object and an optical axis of the camera areperpendicular to each other; when the surface of the object and theoptical axis of the camera are determined to be perpendicular to eachother, acquiring distance information indicating a distance from thecamera to the object; and causing the scanner to change the emissiondirection of the scanning light in accordance with the acquired distanceinformation such that a center line of the prescribed scanning anglerange of the scanning light and the optical axis of the camera intersectwith each other on the surface of the object.